InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Yo Ho! Hoist the Colors High!"

Davis Drew (ninjaspider) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2010-01-17 14:57:00

Entry tags:

davis drew, levi slates

Who: Davis and Levi
What: Levi's first scheduled private lesson... in martial arts, duh.
Where: The London Youth Center; they own his soul.
When: Sunday, 6-ish
Warnings: None; just spirituality and martial arts, a peek at Davis' teaching style as well.

Davis walked into the empty studio space in the LYC and flipped the light switch on the wall. It was kind of strange being here on a Sunday, but he was okay with it. It was extra money, and he'd been meaning to branch out into private teaching anyway. It should be a learning experience for the both of them.

He took off his jacket and revealed a simple white tank, complete with his basic uniform pants with the black belt tied around his waist, bandanna tied to his head. He tossed his jacket over a chair in the far corner and began rolling out the mat on the floor. When all was set up, he stood and looked into the mirror in front of him, figuring he'd do a couple of stretches before the guy arrived.

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ninjaspider
2010-01-18 04:13 am UTC (link)

Davis could relate. He was on a massive downward slope a few years ago, what with the death of his mother and his ever deteriorating mentality. It's hard to get back into the swing of things.

"Like you're drowning on dry land?" He nodded, circling his finger on the bottle cap and looking at the ground. "I know the feeling. Trust me."

He uncapped and drank again from the water bottle, splashing a bit on his face before wiping it off. "If it wasn't for this new world. I'd probably have gone right back to flopping around."

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dreamsoffire
2010-01-18 04:39 am UTC (link)

"If it wasn't for this new world, I'd probably have succeeded in the drowning on dry land." Levi sighed. He really didn't want to talk about the things that plagued him. He didn't expect the confession that he was a weretiger to go over too well.

"But I think this will help. Even just this little bit." He nodded, smiled. "I can tell it's going to help my sanity."

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ninjaspider
2010-01-18 04:51 am UTC (link)

Despite their ability to communicate, the two men had several things in common. They both contained a beast inside them that would kill indiscriminately, and they both held a deep desire to let the past remain in the past. Still, Davis recognized that there was something in the other that reminded him of himself.

"I'm glad to help. Even just a little bit." He nodded to Levi.

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-18 05:19 am UTC (link)
	"I think if I stick with it, you'll help more than a little bit." Levi said sagely. He took another drink, finishing off the water. "We going to go another round?" He was ready to give it a go, though he was tired, he'd manage. he was pumped up, and inspired, two things he hadn't really felt for a long time. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-18 11:50 pm UTC (link)

"Of course." Davis agreed, standing and tossing the empty bottle in his hand in a small bin beside the table.

"We can go over some basic moves. I'm sure you already know how to kick and punch, but I'll teach you to do it effectively." He reached into his bag and pulled out two pads with velcro straps on the back and began to fasten them to each hand.

He then proceeded to stand in a half-squat position in front of Levi, in order to steady his balance.

"Now I want you to punch this pad. Show me what you got, then I'll correct it and tell you how to do it better." He nodded. "It's a lot less douchey than it sounds, I promise."

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-19 12:57 am UTC (link)
	"No, I'm sure it's a good exercise." He was putting a lot of faith and trust into Davis, but he felt it was well placed. He took in a breath to prepare himself, and moved into position to assault the pad. His moves lacked any real form, it was more of an instinctive attack, than planned. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-19 01:26 am UTC (link)

"Well you got the basic idea down." Davis said as the other man punched at the pads on his hands. He wasn't thinking about it, which was good.

"Instinct is good. But instinct can be sloppy as well. Always remember to draw your force from your center of gravity. Otherwise you're just flailing your arms." He steadied his feet as he tried motivating the other man.

"Remember that it's your entire arm working together, not just your fist."

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dreamsoffire
2010-01-19 02:13 am UTC (link)

Levi nodded. He took a moment to recollect himself, then went at it again, a little more focused, a little more strength behind his full armed swings. His feet were firmly planted and it was a full body movement, and it came from somewhere deep within.

Sweat beaded his forehead again, but he didn't pay it any mind. he was, as they say, in a zone. His concentration was absolute, for the moment,a nd he was riding the momentum of it.

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ninjaspider
2010-01-19 02:54 am UTC (link)

The corner of Davis' mouth raised a bit as he watched how into it the other was getting. He loved it when his students got inspired. It made him feel this glow inside, like he was doing his job right. It was strange, teaching and inspiring. Davis never thought he had it in him before he came to this world. Now it was what he lived for.

Davis was surprised that the blows coming from Levi's fists actually hurt a bit through the padding. Not enough to make him wince, but enough to make him smile and nod. "Good job. Congrats man, you've just learned how to effectively punch."

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-19 03:30 am UTC (link)
	Levi offered a slightly lopsided smile. "Probably ought to think about taking another break." He was proud of his efforts, but it was a lot to take in all at once. He really hadn't been terribly active, in recent weeks. He needed to build up resistance again. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-19 11:32 pm UTC (link)
	"Yeah. If you need to we can." Davis nodded in agreement. He would have re-stressed that he was there to work with him, but he didn't really want to sound like someones overbearing mother. He moved to his bag and unstrapped the pads, afterwards cracking his knuckles. "So is this your first time taking lessons?" He said nonchalantly over his shoulder. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-20 12:50 am UTC (link)
	"It is." Levi nodded. He sat and used the towel Davis had given him before to wipe himself down. "I used to go to the gym, but I kind of fell out of the habit, when I came here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-20 01:06 am UTC (link)
	"I see." Davis said as he zipped up his bag and sat down in the chair, placing his head on his hand. "You seem to be working with a lot of rage. Or pent up aggression." He noted. "You pack quite a powerful punch is all I'm sayin'. With a little practice you could be pretty good." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dreamsoffire
2010-01-20 01:17 am UTC (link)

"Thanks." Levi nodded, taking the compliment at face value. "I have," he nodded, thinking. "Issues. Things I need to work through. Some things I left unsettled, but I didn't really have the choice, when I came here. And I've just got to deal with the baggage that carried over."

He tried to smile. "It's been rough. But I've got this now. And my music. My music's probably the only thing that's kept me sane."

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ninjaspider
2010-01-20 01:36 am UTC (link)

"It gets better." Davis tried to somehow convey to him that he really did understand. He didn't know Levi's problems, true. But he knew what he acted like when his own 'issues' started popping up. It wasn't all that dissimilar.

"I mean... I'm not saying I know what you're going through, and I'm not prying. But... it does. Get better I mean." He said in genuine understanding.

"I know what you mean. Before I came here, when I felt I had nothing else... I took up studying the more spiritual side of the arts. I'd studied many of them before but I was using them all wrong. And it developed into a genuine passion. It keeps me from going under."

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-20 03:03 am UTC (link)
	Levi ran a hand through his hair. "I appreciate that, man. It's just. Complicated, and personal, you know? Not easy to talk about." He looked down at the floor. Really not easy to talk about. "But I definitely want to make this a routine. Every week. I need this." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-20 03:16 am UTC (link)
	"Well as long as you're game, I'll teach you whatever you want to know." Davis replied. And he meant it. So long as the other man needed some sort of spiritual guidance through the martial arts, Davis would be here. He always looked after his own. "I mean it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-21 01:26 am UTC (link)
	Levi found a genuine smile. "I appreciate that. I did a lot of research, before I posted. And I'm committed tot his. I really think it will help, and I think I found a good teacher, too." He nodded to drive the point home. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-21 01:53 am UTC (link)

"Yeah well... I try." Davis chuckled in a humble manner. He hated to sound like he was gloating in any sense of the word, but having someone re-enforce his teaching skill on a personal level and not just in a classroom environment was pretty great. He tried not to look TOO glad that the other man that he taught well.

"But really, it's not all coming from me. All that positive energy is coming from you. I'm just here to help direct things."

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-21 01:57 am UTC (link)
	"That's why you're a decent teacher. So many of them think it's all about them, and the students are just an instrument to boost their own ego. I'm glad you're not like that, because I wouldn't be signing on for a repeat performance." Levi leaned back a little and ran a hand through his hair, combing it out on one side. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-21 02:07 am UTC (link)

"Wow... I guess you're right." He raised an eyebrow as he thought, then half-smiled. Now he didn't feel so bad about feeling good.

"I mean, I'm not sure how to teach any other way really. One... it's common sense. The student chose to be here so I shouldn't waste their time." He shrugged as he sprawled back in his chair.

"I guess I just have a different approach because of how I learned them. Not everybody trains in the mountains of China. It's a different world out there. Most of the modern instructors forget that first and foremost, the arts are about respect."

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-21 02:20 am UTC (link)
	"I'd say you're here, doing this, for all the right reasons," Levi assessed. He shifted, crossed his legs. "The Chinese are on to something. I mean, they have some pretty good principles and techniques. I always wanted to go over there, just to see." He shrugged. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-21 02:31 am UTC (link)

"It's beautiful. Every part of it. From the tightly packed cities to the jungles. The only place in the world where I've seen a tiger run free." Davis reflected on his time spent in China, or really the entire Asian continent. It probably was one of his favorite places in the world.

"Why not go there? I mean, if it's just for a day, you can use one of those portal things, right?"

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-21 11:39 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah. I could. I just. I don't know. I'm not sure China's the place you want to go, alone, you know?" Levi drew one shoulder up in a half shrug. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-22 01:08 am UTC (link)
	"I could show you around if you're interested. We could say it would be part of your advanced studies." Davis said with a nod. He wouldn't offer that if he didn't think there was potential in someone. "Since I do know my way around, and where all the important sights pertinent to your studies would be." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-22 01:40 am UTC (link)
	"You make a good point." Levi tilted his head, studying Davis. "I mean, if it's something you'd really want to do. I wouldn't say no, but I don't want you to feel obligated, or anything." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-22 02:19 am UTC (link)
	"It's not like you'd be twisting my arm or anything. It IS one of my favorite places. And besides, if it would help you better understand your studies, then it really is my responsibility." Davis gave a mischevious smile. "But really, it would be a pleasure." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-22 02:42 am UTC (link)
	"Well, that's settled then," Levi nodded. He pushed a hand through his hair. "I guess whenever you have time. I don't really have anything pressing, to work around." Except the full moon, but he hoped that wouldn't have to be an issue, and hopefully the tiger in him would respond well to visiting China. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-22 03:02 am UTC (link)
	"Well good. Next class we'll just have a field trip." Davis smiled, a little excited that he'd be returning there. Although he was pretty sure that Stick and his warrior clan would not be hidden in the mountains in this world. "I'll find the right portkey and then contact you on where to meet up. It should be fun." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-22 03:23 am UTC (link)
	"That sounds like a plan," Levi said with a little smile. "I should probably get out of your hair, now. Let you get back to whatever." He shrugged. he wasn't in any great hurry to leave, but he didn't want to take up the man's time if he had things to do. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ninjaspider 2010-01-22 03:31 am UTC (link)
	"Eh... I don't have a whole lot to do. But if you've got someplace to be, that's cool." He said with a small nod. "Either way, it's a pleasure working with you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dreamsoffire 2010-01-22 03:54 am UTC (link)
	Levi shook his had. "I have no reason to run off. Just wanted to make sure I'm not keeping you from something." He tilted his head, looking at Davis. "I'm just really glad you were willing to work with me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ninjaspider
2010-01-22 04:09 am UTC (link)

"Yeah well... I'm just glad to be able to do what I do. And it always helps when I have students who are studying for the right reasons, and don't just want to learn how to beat stuff up." Davis chuckled a little bit. He didn't know how many times he'd had little kids (or grown men for that matter) come in and tell him they were only taking classes to teach someone a lesson.

"And, I donno... you're relatively easy to work with. You might learn too fast and then have no use for me." He laughed again.

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	dreamsoffire 2010-01-23 01:31 am UTC (link)
	"Oh, I doubt that," Levi said with a shake of his head. "I'm in this for the long haul, I think. For a while, at least." Eventually he'd probably figure things out on his own, but it was nice to think of having someone to help along the way. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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